Review: The Edge of Impropriety by Pam Rosenthal

The ribald private life of novelist Countess Marina Wyatt is the stuff of public scandal -- and it doesn't hurt the sale of her romances either. But she's totally unprepared for her consuming new affair with Jasper James Hedges, noted art appraiser and her former lover's uncle.

In Marina, Jasper sees a work of art of another kind. And for all of Marina's passionate inventions, nothing can compare to what Jasper delivers -- an erotic and dangerous voyage to the edge of impropriety and beyond.

The Edge of Impropriety is a book that took me by surprise. Frankly, I didn't know what to expect since this is my first book by Pam Rosenthal.

I found this to be an excellent historical romance with a mixture of fictional, historical characters, and/or based on real people of the times, peppered with beautiful details of time and place. I loved the way the writer allows us glimpses of the ton from the outside -- through the eyes of those who resided on the periphery, even the tradesmen. Her observations from that point of view were quite refreshing and kept me turning the pages.

Her hero and heroine are presented as mature adults with responsibilities and not-so-pretty pasts. You must keep reading to really get to know Marina, but there is nothing coy or disingenuous about her -- she is who she is and I loved her character. Jasper is easier to know and is presented as straight forward in his dealings with Marina and complex in his relationship with his family. I found their encounters to be very passionate -- nothing coy in that regard either -- although I found the way Rosenthal went about writing these scenes quite interesting.

For me, the way Ms. Rosenthal resolved conflicts in this book were also refreshing. Secondary characters are interesting and add much to this story. There's a secondary romance in the book that was both sweet and unexpected and a twist at the end to a bit of a mystery. The ending to this story was unusual, yet appropriate in my opinion. The only minor problem I found with the book was the length of some of the internal dialogues which were a bit long winded at times.

Visit the author here. Read an excerpt here.

Originally posted at Musings of a Bibliophile August 6, 2009

Review: ePistols at Dawn by Z.A. Maxfield

M/M Reading Challenge: Part Eight

Choose your weapons.

Jae-sun Fields is pissed. Someone has taken the seminal, coming of age novel Doorways and satirized it. He's determined to use his Internet skills and his job as a tabloid reporter to out the author as the fraud and no-talent hack he's sure she is.

Kelly Kendall likes his anonymity and, except for his house, factotum and all-around slut, Will, he craves solitude. There's also that crippling case of OCD that makes it virtually impossible for him to leave the house. He's hidden his authorship of Doorways behind layers of secrets and several years' worth of lies -- until he loses a bet.

Satirizing his own work, as far as he can see, is his own damned prerogative. Except now he has an online stalker, one who always seems several steps ahead of him in their online due for information.

A chance meeting reveals more than hidden identities -- it exposes a mutual magnetic attraction that can't be denied. And pushes the stakes that much higher, into a zone that could get way too personal...

In ePistols at Dawn, Z. A. Maxfield writes a book where she explores much more than an erotic or a romantic relationship -- although the romance/erotic relationship is also here. She introduces us to some wonderful characters and through them proceeds to basically do a study of today's "cyberspace" society -- specifically how it pertains to writers and their fans. The way fears, resentments and lies can be used or abused... and of course, the ever nagging question of privacy vs. the public's "right to know."

She ties this same story arc -- privacy vs. the public -- by tackling a public figure's right to keep their sexual orientation private vs. a newspaper's right to publish that person's sexual orientation upon discovery. The consequences, moral ambiguity, and gray areas this question raises are there in the pages to see. Ms. Maxfield doesn't attempt to answer the questions, but I love that she asks them and explores them.

There seems to be an underlying sub-plot running throughout the book from all the parties involved. Fear of discovery, fear of being hurt, fear of love, fear of 'coming out,' fear of life... and ultimately (for some) triumph over all that fear.

As you can see, so far I've addressed the book in general and not the characters in particular. Maxfield's characterization in ePistols at Dawn is excellent, and I must admit to being fascinated by Kelly, Jae, Will and Shannon. They were all individually and collectively important and they definitely tell the story.

Kelly, the writer with OCD who hid behind his computer, his different personas and his housekeeper Will, was a character study all by himself. You would think that a man who is, at heart, lonely and who has so many quirks and insecurities would not make for a great hero in this type of book. I fell in love with Kelly -- a loving, loyal and sexy geek -- he was the one character that I thought grew the most in this story. I was touched by both his love for Jae and his loyalty to Will.

Jae's obsession with Doorways and the moral questions that arise from his questionable actions due to that obsession were some of the most fascinating parts of this book for me. His attraction for Kelly is palpable, as is his desperation when those gray areas start to turn dark for him. He's one sexy big guy too! The braid, the braid!

Will and Shannon as secondary characters were developed and then some! They both provide some of the wonderful humor that I most liked about this book -- which by the way is peppered with great lines throughout. Will's character seems to jump off the pages and steals every scene he's in. Although, I must admit for a while I expected to be disappointed with Will and Kelly's part of the story, the resolution was satisfying for me.

In the end Doorways, the name of the book in ePistols at Dawn, perfectly represents what our characters must do -- they each must make a choice and walk through the right door.

An excellent read! One I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

You can find this book here.

M/M Author Spotlight: Gavin Atlas

Rafael, a gorgeous and promiscuous bottom boy, has always been the favorite of every top in his town. However, Rafael knows he won't be young forever, and a part of him wants more than just night after night of giving up his rump to an endless array of men. Worse, a psychic predicted that if Rafael didn't find love by the time he turned twenty-eight, he would never have anything more than meaningless sex.

When the eve of his twenty-eighth birthday arrives, Cavan, a mysterious and handsome stranger, strips Rafael naked at a popular club and abducts him. Cavan is the most dominant and talented top Rafael has ever experienced, but he even has more to offer. Cavan is a vampire, and he desires to make Rafael his eternal bottom slave. Cavan has the power to keep Rafael young, beautiful and healthy forever, but he requires the one thing Rafael has never been capable of: monogamy. 

Will Cavan's unstoppable lust and unceasing love make Rafael give up what he craves most for one man?

Slave to Shadows, Gavin Atlas' vampire story, will release August 24, 2009 from eXcessica Publishing.

This month I am featuring one M/M author.  Gavin Atlas has been writing since the fifth grade, but started writing erotica in 2004 and was first published in 2007. His stories, Claiming Danny and Simple and Easy were bestsellers for Forbidden Publications. He also has stories in anthologies: Cleis Press - Hercules to the Rescue in Hard Hats and Blue Star Boy in Surfer Boys; Alyson Books - The Only Bottom for a Thousand Miles in Island Boys and Business with Pleasure in Ultimate Gay Erotica 2009; and from Ravenous Romance Which Way to Dominance in How The West Was Done. His short story, La Playita is available at All Romance eBooks.

The first piece I read by Gavin Atlas was Wet Pass. It's a short story about a single encounter between an Olympic Water Polo player and a journalist. The encounter takes place in the locker room when the journalist goes to do an interview -- hmmm.... what an interview! Explicit and hot, this piece is definitely not romance, but raw erotica. A short hot piece that definitely gave me a taste of Mr. Atlas' raw style. 

Which Way to Dominance in the How the West Was Done Anthology is a short piece that I found to be disturbing but also one that made me think -- it stayed with me. I know that I discussed this short story with friends more than other M/M novels. I reviewed this piece.

After a recent breakup, Jamie a college student who has always escaped boring life through books, travels to the warmth of Costa Rica. His fantasies about surf and sand and boys, of course, may just come true thanks to some very friendly local waiters.

La Playita has received many accolades and comes highly recommended. This book and Mr. Atlas' latest release Slave to Shadows are two of my planned M/M reads for the month of August. I've been saving it for a beautiful summer day and now its time is coming!

You can visit Gavin Atlas here.  Or you can find Gavin at his LJ Blog "No Rest for the Wicked." 

M/M Review: Islands by Samantha Kane

Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Conlan, United States Navy Seabees, knows he's not in Kansas anymore when he steps off the launch at the small island of Ile Dorée and sees gorgeous Frenchman René Dubois waiting for him on the dock. The year is 1943, the place is the Pacific and the world is at war. Free from the censure of the military, Gabe has an explosive affair with René. But when the world intrudes, Gabe denies René and tries to forget the best sex of his life.

The only westerner on his small Pacific island, René is desperately lonely. When the tall, lanky American steps onto his dock, René knows his life will never be the same. He teaches Gabe how to make love to a man and, unexpectedly, falls in love. René will brave prejudice, Japanese Zeros and Gabe's reluctance to find love at last.

Gabriel Conlan is a man of his times. A man who is used to being in command and control as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, but also a man who maintains that same control on his emotions. He knows that he can't let his true self show for a moment or his credibility and career will disappear in an instant. His self-contempt and repressed longings are made evident early on in the story, as well as his lack of experience in the love arena. Oh, he knows what it is to have sex with another man, but love? That, he has never experienced.

René Dubois is a Frenchman and the only westerner in a Pacific Island where he is responsible for all its inhabitants. A lonely and passionate man, René grew up in France where he was accepted as a gay man from an early age. He wears his passionate nature and capability for love like a second skin. Gorgeous and confident, René oozes the type of sensuality and determination that scares Gabriel.

In Islands, Samantha Kane writes a love story heavy in atmosphere and 1940's period details. She makes you feel as if you were there in the Pacific Islands during WWII during those terrible times of war and danger, and yet she provides that oasis for a short period of time where these two characters met and changed each other's lives forever. From the way Gabe held his cigarette, to the pacing of their dialogue, this felt like a period piece. I could visualize it as I was reading it.

Secondary characters and backgrounds are not neglected in this story either. Ms. Kane gives us rich details about the culture of the island and its inhabitants. The Fa'afafine are highlighted in this story as they play a part here. These are young men who think of themselves as females and are treated as such from the time they are children. They dress and act as females and are highly respected within the culture. We also meet other servicemen -- Mr. Watson's story parallels Gabe's, although in a supportive role. Gabriel and René stay as the focus.

For me, this book was a romance with wonderful erotic scenes. The way René seduced Gabriel and showed him a man could be loved was more than erotic -- I found it moving. Gabriel's doubts and reservations didn't have a chance... not after René called him "Mon Ange" the first time. Their trials and tribulations take place within a short period of time, but the resolution to their conflict takes time. I think this is one of the parts I most appreciated about Islands.

Ms. Kane delivers a complete story with compelling characters, wonderful atmosphere and an intensity to her scenes that left me more than satisfied with this book. For me, Islands is a keeper and it will be re-read.

M/M Romance: Grade A


Originally posted at Musings of a Bibliophile August 2, 2009

...On Book Shopping!

Ohhhhh! I went book shopping this weekend. My favorite past time...well... one of my favorite past times! Some of these books have been on my list of books to buy for a while, and others are recent recommendations. There's a little bit of everything I like to read in this neat little pile and I can't wait to get my hands on them. So, here are the latest additions to my TBR pile...

Babylon Babies,  a translation of the futuristic thriller written by the French sci-fi author Maurice G. Dantec. This is one I've had on my list for a while.

 

The Outback Stars by Sandra McDonald is the first in a military Sci-Fi trilogy -- a recent addition to my list. Big Red Tequila by Rick Riordan, the first book in the Tres Navarre Mysteries, I've been wanting to read these for quite a while and decided now is the time! And could not shop for books without picking up at least one historical romance, so I chose The Promise by T.J. Bennett -- medieval romance set during the reign of Charles V that caught my attention.

A few Contemporary Romances also made my shopping cart. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James, Head Over Heels by Susan Andersen and A Little Light Magic by Joy Nash are all books I've either been meaning to buy or have been recommended highly. 

And of course, I finished my shopping by buying one Category Romance, The Rancher's Rules by Lucy Monroe. I saw a review in the bloggosphere for this book a while back and I put this book on my list. It finally went from the TBB list to the TBR pile! 

Now, to find the time to read them ALL!

Reviews at Musings

I keep forgetting to announce the books I'm reviewing at Musings of a Bibliophile! I'm almost finished reading the 20 books I set as a goal for the M/M Reading Challenge -- one to go -- but, I'm behind on posting my reviews. Surprise, surprise! I guess I've been too busy reading to write *g*... not a bad thing, I say.  I'll be all caught up by next week with my writing and then one last book to read!

This is a late post -- this week, so far, you'll find three M/M Mini Reviews and a historical romance.

M/M Romance Reading Challenge - Part Six

Dancing in the Dark by Jenna Byrnes, a love story between a vice cop and a hustler. Crime, angst, love and illicit erotic encounters all weaved into this novelette. I placed this one under the "Cops and Lovers" category and it was perfect.

Which Way to Dominance by Gavin Atlas, a short story included in the How the West was Done Anthology by Editor Adam Carpenter. A short story that was disturbing, but one that made me think. With a strong subject matter, this fit right into the "Out of the Comfort Zone" category where I placed it.

Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson is a straight to gay story of two college buddies. Anderson wrote one of the first M/M stories I read... "The Assignment." I placed this book under "First M/M Authors Ever Read" Category. I was very happy when I saw she had a new release and added her to my list immediately!

Don't Tempt Me by Loretta Chase

Also at Musings, you'll find a review for Don't Tempt Me by Loretta Chase. A historical romance book I was looking forward to reading and one I enjoyed. This was not only a fun book to read, but I loved writing the review as well. Loretta Chase is one of those authors whose new releases I always look forward to. This one was a good choice. 

Hope you stop by... see you at Musings!

M/M Mini Reviews: Jenna Byrnes, Gavin Atlas, Evangeline Anderson

Dancing in the Dark by Jenna Byrnes

Vice Cop, Nick D'Amato is turning 40 and he and his buddies, Gil and Sam, are three gay cops in a sea of blue. They've had their share of fun and broken relationships, now Gil is feeling the weight of a long-term relationship going south, and Sam is in desperate mode looking for love wherever he can find it. Nick seems to be the only one who doesn't have a problem with being alone or with that upcoming birthday.

Nick is holding out.

William (Squeek) is a hustler who works the streets on Nick's beat. Will has become Nick's dirty little secret. A young man who refuses to change his lifestyle and take help from Nick, even when there is a serial killer on the loose, Will is Nick's obsession and his secret love.

Dancing in the Dark was erotic and dished out enough angst for my taste. Nick's obsession and love for Will are obvious and you can feel his pain, hurt feelings and his love for the young man, as well as his anxiety about the future. The suspense part of the story felt contrived, although it did not affect my overall enjoyment of this piece as it was not really the central part of the story.

Ms Byrne touches lightly on sexual addiction -- a subject key to the story that needed to be better fleshed out. Will's feelings for Nick were not as clearly defined even at the end, and the resolution to their conflict seemed rushed. This novella was a short but complete story with likable characters.

M/M Erotica: Grade B-
Find this book here.

Which Way to Dominance by Gavin Atlas (How the West Was Done Anthology by Editor Adam Carpenter)

Teddy has worked on the Lawson ranch and sheep farm going on four years now, since the age of 16. Roy is the ranch foreman and quite a despicable man who abuses Teddy. For all of his 20 years on this earth, Teddy hasn't had an easy life and doesn't ask for much. Teddy feels that all things considered, his life "could have been worse: and at least he has a job and isn't alone.

One stormy night, Roy sends Teddy to the airport to pick up the new ranch hand, Marco Belini. Marco becomes Teddy's bunkmate, and in getting to know him, Teddy finds a kindred spirit when it comes to gentling horses. In Marco, he also finds a friend and eventually a lover.

Roy was a bully and an abuser. The man took his pleasure by inflicting pain. He was sadistic and uncaring of his partner's pleasure or lack of it -- a brute to both humans and animals alike. I found the abusive scenes disturbing, although Atlas writes them well.

Teddy is a near illiterate young man with submissive tendencies. His rationale for staying and taking Roy's blackmail and abuse was: better than being alone. It seemed to me as if Teddy was afraid of going out into the world on his own. He felt comfortable enough where he was, even if he had to take the abuse.

In comes Marco -- a new ranch hand that travels all the way from Argentina and ends up bunking with Teddy. Marco and Teddy share their love of horses and their abilities to tame them without force. The title, "Which Way to Dominance" in this book can be applied to both Teddy and the horses. Marco's role in this triangle shows us how to use dominance without force.

Although I was repulsed by Roy's character and behavior, I thought Atlas dealt well with both. The abuser in this instance is definitely dealt with, and although we don't exactly know his motivation, his character is well established. The abuse and the consequences are not glossed over. Atlas takes them straight on.

Teddy's character was a bit tougher for me to process. Although it is established that he has a submissive personality, he also emerges as being very dependent. I was ultimately unable to connect with his character and thought that due to the heavy subject in this short story, the victim needed further development.

Marco played the knight in shining armor with lots of tenderness and a soft touch. The perfect way to illustrate "Which Way to Dominance."

M/M Erotica: B-
Find the Anthology here.

Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson

How far would you dare to go... to win it all?

Maverik Holms and Duke Warren share almost everything -- a college soccer team, an apartment and the same extremely competitive nature. Thanks to that never-back-down spirit, they're about to share more than they bargained for.

The game is "gay chicken." The rule: get as close as possible without kissing, and the one that pulls away first is the loser. The problem: neither of them likes to lose. It isn't long before the game becomes an excuse to touch and kiss in every possible forbidden way. And after they pose for a gay website to earn extra money, things really heat up.

Suddenly Duke is talking lifetime commitment, and Mav is backpedaling as hard as he can, not sure if he's ready to accept all his best is offering him. Or the truth about what he is.

Oh my! What can I say about this book? Except, that it was tons of fun to read. Evangeline Anderson wrote one of the first M/M books I read, "The Assignment." I still feel nostalgia when I think of that book and my reaction to it *g*... so, when I saw she had a new release, I just had to add it to my list.

Fun and sexy, the characters in this book go from playing "gay chicken" to "super gay chicken" to well... you can just guess. Mav's denial is as deep as the River Nile, and Duke plays the game pretty well, no doubt about it.

Two hot, sexy and likable characters, some erotic games, lots of straight boy denial mixed with angst, and a happily ever after. If you want a light, fun read, you can't ask for more.

M/M Erotica: Grade B-
Find this book here.

Originally posted on Musings of a Bibliophile July 21, 2009

Mini-Review: Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

The Psy Changeling Series

When a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped, DarkRiver sentinel Mercy, a cat, and SnowDancer lieutenant Riley, a wolf, must work together to track the young man - before his shadowy captors decide he's no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it'll leave them both branded by fire.

Many wonderful reviews have been posted for Branded by Fire -- Lurv A la Mode , The Book Smugglers, Book Binge, to name a few -- I figured I would just post a short, mini-review outlining my final thoughts.

Nalini Singh continues to deliver with her latest installment in the Psy/Changeling series. In Branded by Fire, the romance was the center of the story and it was one of the most sizzling romances in this series so far. Mercy and Riley set the pages on fire.

The pairing of these two dominant changelings turned out to be both hot and tender. I loved the way Ms. Singh consistently maintained Mercy's alpha characteristics throughout the story. Mercy gave of herself without ultimately losing herself. Her dominant female characteristics and self-assurance were not lessened to give Riley, another alpha hero, the spotlight. Reiley as an alpha hero was also a winner. The give and take between these two characters made for a balanced and well done romance, gifting us with a strong and passionate pair.

Ms. Singh also delivers on the world building front. The overall arc in the Psy/Changling world stays tight and the story moves forward without sacrificing the romance. This world keeps getting better and it absolutely has my attention. I'm looking forward to learning more about Kaleb, the Ghost, the Net and of course, the Forgotten. Blaze of Memory should give us more on that front and I can't wait.

As you can see, I loved Branded by Fire. Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series maintains its place at the top of my Paranormal Romance list. Maintaining the romance focus without losing the tight world building, this installment gets a Hot A

Visit Nalini Singh here. Read an excerpt here.

Originally posted at Musings of a Bibliophile July 17, 2009

Troubled Thoughts... on Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan

I'm almost done reading Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan and I find myself needing to write down some thoughts on this book. This is the last book in the Drake Sisters series, and I figured... well, good, one more series down. For me this has not been a great series, but an okay, readable one that I wanted to finish. But this book? This book has floored me and not in a good way.

Let's begin. I WARN you now, there will be Spoilers, so if you don't want to know, please don't read this post.

The Plot, so far:
Elle, the youngest and most powerful of the sisters is undercover. The bad guy in this book, who also has psychic powers, kidnaps Elle and holds her captive for over a month. During this month, he rapes her repeatedly, he beats her, he uses both psychological and physical ways to torture her, and uses her psychic powers against her. He also rapes her psychically. So, this woman is degraded and raped in every way possible as he attempts to break her. A violent and graphic way to begin the story.

Jackson, Elle's destined mate, comes to the rescue together with her 6 sisters and their mates. At this point, Elle decides Jackson is the only one who can protect her physically and psychically and goes home with him instead of seeking her sisters' help. We know that the evil/bad guy is seeking Elle. He has somehow bonded with her through his psychic powers and continues to torture her this way, while Jackson and her family attempt to protect her.

Problems I see with the story, so far:
If we take into account that Elle has been brutally raped in various ways, beaten and almost broken then the following timeline becomes quite problematic.

* the following day after rescue: SHE is kissing Jackson

* two days after rescue: SHE is performing fellatio on Jackson

* three days after rescue: SHE is having hot/steamy sex with Jackson

* four days after rescue: THEY decide to marry

Mind you, during the first two points, she is still exhibiting some symptoms of trauma, but she is enjoying this. This is something that SHE wants to do, not something that HE asks her to perform and requires of her. It's presented as her choice.

Also, please note that at this point:

* she STILL has not de-tangled her hair from her one month ordeal, due to trauma; although she did shower.

My troubled thoughts:
What was really the purpose for Elle's violent rape in this story?

Was it used as a tool to dis-empower Elle? To cut her "balls" (figuratively speaking)?... Elle is the most powerful of the sisters, yet in this book, she has been reduced to a ball of wax. Jackson, on the other hand, has become the stronger one of the two, even though he's not as powerful as she is. So, we are told. Not shown. Is this a way to make this "kickass" heroine more amenable and malleable for our alpha hero?

Or, was rape used as a tool so that Elle could reach a better understanding of Jackson as a person? Jackson having gone through torture himself and still suffering from PTSD.

Either way, why is a serious subject like rape being used in this manner? Why is it being used as a tool?

I certainly don't think it's being taken seriously. Not when the female character in this book has been brutalized and without receiving any real help for trauma or having spent any real time recovering, she is WILLINGLY having a sexual relationship three days after rescue. The fact that the male is not the aggressor and the female is the one wanting this does not make this better. It makes it unbelievable. Or should I use the word outrageous? Was that really supposed to make this acceptable?

I'm not finished with this book yet. You're probably asking, why are you still reading it? Well, I WANT to see exactly how or why this plotline was used... I want to know...